Chess Puzzle #OphXZ — Advanced, White to move, endgame

Rating 1821 · Advanced · advanced pawn, endgame, equality, pawn endgame, promotion, very long.

Position

White: king b2; pawns g4/h5. Black: king b4; pawns a4/e4/g6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: gxh5 — pawn g6→h5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: gxh5 — pawn g4→h5, captures pawn. Opponent replies a3+ (pawn a4→a3, gives check).
  3. Best move: Ka2 — king b2→a2. Opponent replies e3 (pawn e4→e3).
  4. Best move: h6 — pawn h5→h6. Opponent replies e2 (pawn e3→e2).
  5. Best move: h7 — pawn h6→h7. Opponent replies e1=Q (pawn e2→e1, promotes to queen).
  6. Best move: h8=Q — pawn h7→h8, promotes to queen.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, endgame, equality, pawn endgame, promotion, very long. The key move gxh5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/6p1/7P/pk2p1P1/8/1K6/8 b - - 0 39

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Puzzle data from the Lichess puzzle database (CC0). Analysis powered by Stockfish 18 in your browser.